Few industries enjoy a high positive customer relationship like that of alarm companies. According to a study done by Dr. Simon Hakim, director of the Center for Competitive Government at Temple University, 94 percent of alarm owners are satisfied with their systems. With one in five homes currently electronically protected, that's a pretty amazing statistic....

Owning a home may be the American Dream, but the American reality is that most people's first home is a rental. And the number of people who choose to rent as a permanent housing arrangement is on the rise, according to national statistics....

Millions of American kids come home to or leave an empty house every day. Yet many don't fit the stereotype of a "latchkey kid" - a child in a single parent household whose custodial parent is at work when the school day ends or begins....

If you're considering building your next home, you surely have a wish list -- a vision of everything the house of your dreams would include. Do you visualize an open floor plan with plenty of room for the kids? Or maybe your perfect home includes a spacious kitchen with all the latest appliances....

Buying a home can be a rewarding life experience, as well as a great investment. But having a successful purchase requires some education and research. For first time homebuyers especially, you'll save yourself a lot of frustration--and maybe even money--if you start with a few simple steps....

How to finance an ambitious endeavor? Considering some of the options: taking out a loan from a family member or friend, charging the start up costs on a credit card, tapping into a retirement funds, or taking out a home equity loan?...

Buying a home can be a very intimidating process, especially if you've never done it before. So the first thing you should do before you start is to figure out whether owning a home is right for you....

Carpet has become one of the nation's most popular floor coverings because it provides additional insulation, reduces sound and gives off an appearance of comfort and warmth. Today, carpet is made from a variety of products and is easier to care for with most lines offering soil, stain, odor and static resistant options....

Many elements must work together to create a remarkable room. There is the color scheme, furniture, decorations, and of course, the rug on the floor. Don't overlook the significance of the one thing that could tie the whole room together! Shopping for a rug can be time consuming and frustrating. Going to stores with limited inventory just to flip through heavy rugs to return empty-handed is disappointing....

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, paper contributed to 43.2 percent of the 245 million tons of waste generated in the USA in 2005. Paper is a part of all aspects of our lives, especially when it comes to household chores....

Painting is one of the most popular home improvement projects you can undertake, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Whether you're planning an interior or exterior painting project, hiring a painting contractor will save a lot of time and energy in the long run....

Whether it's extra bedroom space, a new den, a playroom or just a quiet spot to call your own, finishing the basement is one of the greatest ways to improve cramped living. However, a basement has a few unique characteristics that must be considered to ensure that the space functions well for your needs....

Now that spring has arrived, a lot of people are itching to get started on their home improvement projects. Maybe you want to do a kitchen remodel, you need a new roof or want to improve your home's curb appeal with some new paint and landscaping....

There are a lot of numbers that are important in life, but none quite as influential as your credit score. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. On the opposite side, a poor credit rating can make many aspects of living difficult. It's important to check your credit score to learn where you stand....

The majority of Americans have errors and other unverifiable information on their credit reports that could be dragging down their credit score. Odds are good that your credit score is lower than it should be....

Your credit score affects what type of interest rates you get on credit cards or for buying a house or car, as well as your approvals for employment or apartment rental. It's important that you understand not only what your score means, but how to repair it....

Do you shred your unwanted mail before throwing it away? Are you careful not to give out too much personal information to people you don't know? And do you keep important papers like your birth certificate and social security card in a bank box?...

When you are in debt, it seems like whatever amount of money you owe is overwhelming. If you find yourself wondering if debt consolidation is a possible solution for your financial trouble, you owe it to yourself to look into it....

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend an average of $1400 a year on energy bills, 45 percent of that comes from the heating and cooling of their home. Increasing the efficiency of your heating and cooling appliances can substantially reduce your annual costs up to 30 percent per year. Even more importantly, making your home energy-efficient helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves the quality of our air....

Everyone wants to cut down on their energy bill. The average American spends about 40 percent of their summer energy bill on air conditioning. This means that any leak in your air conditioning system translates into a leak in your wallet. Think of the air that passes through your house as money actually floating through air vents and rooms....

Winter's chill may be the farthest thing from your mind while you're enjoying the beautiful fall weather. But home maintenance experts agree that now is the optimum time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter....

Fencing can play a key role in the landscape of one's home. Its purpose can be as simple as keeping the family dog in or as important as keeping young children out, especially from hidden dangers like a pool. The U.S. fencing industry is a billion dollar market which continues to grow more than five percent a year. What once was limited to chain link and wood products has grown to include PVC and vinyl fencing....

Shopping for furniture can be as daunting as shopping for the right car and nearly as expensive. The shopping process often entails lying on dozens of beds, reclining on hundreds of overstuffed chairs and upholstered sofas, pulling out numerous dresser drawers or sitting on an abundance of decorative wood dining chairs. Choosing the right furniture piece or room suit is a quest, but the adventure should be as exciting for you as the day your new piece of furniture is delivered....

Few shoppers can pass by the big-screen television display at their local electronics store without stepping back and imagining one in their own home. Package that television together with four speakers, a subwoofer for bass projection, and a DVD/CD/MP3 player and you've constructed your own home theater system....

You need only look back at the story of The Three Little Pigs to know that a home's exterior not only adds to its' beauty but is a factor in determining its' strength and durability against inclement winds and storms. In fact, a study released in 2004 by the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University states that "homes built with brick offer dramatically more protection from wind-blown debris than homes built with vinyl or fiber-cement siding."...

In a lot of ways, the structural elements of a home can be compared to the human body. Framing is similar to our bones, waterproof barriers are like our skin, and siding is like the clothes we wear to cover our bodies. Siding can be compared to clothes because it protects the waterproof barrier (our skin) and serves as a decorative finish that enhances the home's overall aesthetics and, thus, its value. Clothes do the same for our bodies by protecting our skin and visually enhancing our appearance. Keep in mind; siding does not act as a waterproof barrier....

Whether you're purchasing a new or existing home, consider the benefits of a home inspection performed by a certified or licensed inspector. The purchase of a home is the biggest investment people make. It not only involves acquiring a significant asset, it may also mean taking on additional problems as well. While home inspectors are limited in their scope, they can offer peace of mind to a new homeowner by assessing some of a home's major componenets....

You've taught your children not to play with matches, placed smoke alarms outside their bedroom doors (and check the batteries regularly) and planned family fire escape drills. But if you haven't provided them with a reliable means of escape, you may not be doing enough to prevent tragedy, statistics show....

Over the years, the world of home entertainment has radically changed. Twenty-five years ago, only a small percentage of households in the U.S. had cable television, and VCRs were merely a luxury item. Today, most U.S. households get at least 50 channels and have a good-sized TV accompanied by a variety of electronic components. Many people are opting to create their own home theater systems, a combination of electronic components designed to recreate the experience of watching a movie in a theater....

When purchasing a home, most mortgage companies require the buyer to have homeowners insurance as a condition for receiving the loan. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per year for a standard homeowners policy in 2004 was $608. While standard homeowners policies will cover the structure of the home and its contents against fire, theft, and some natural disasters, (excluding floods, earthquakes, landslides, mudslides or sinkholes), the amount of coverage varies. Even if you're not in the market for a new home, it's a good idea to review your policy to make sure your coverage is in line with your home's current appraised value....

If you want to see a business owner cringe, ask them about their inventory. They will begin talking in a language only a few souls on the planet will understand. They will mention industry buzz words like: Inventory Turns, FIFO, LIFO, Cycle Counting and on, and on, and on. If you are still standing there by the time they get to COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) I admire your resolve....

According to a poll commissioned by PBS' wellknown This Old House series, nearly a third of respondents (32%) cited a high-end kitchen as their dream renovation. The kitchen is no longer the place where mom retires to cook the family dinner. Today, kitchens serve as the heart of the home, and many Americans are looking for ways to make it more comfortable....

If you're concerned about the effect of weed killers and fertilizers on your children, pets and the environment, you should know that a natural way to obtain a lush, green lawn is to plant zoysia grass. Zoysia is a durable, spreading turf grass that grows into a permanent, perennial lawn that naturally resists insects and diseases. Zoysia's deep, vigorous root system rarely needs watering, staying green even in the heat of summer....

Up to 80 percent of water used around the home during the summer is for outdoor use -- primarily to irrigate gardens and lawns. To keep lawns green and lush during the long, hot summer, most people pull out the hoses, turn on the sprinklers and pour on the water. Household water consumption has increased drastically in the past 30 years, and the combination of increased water demands, rising water bills and drought-induced watering restrictions has prompted many homeowners to rethink their approach to lawn care....

A nice yard not only makes for a good neighbor, it helps to enhance property values as well. A high quality landscape design can actually improve the appearance of a building or home by adding warmth and character....

There's a spring frenzy going on at garden centers nationwide. If you're already dreading the idea of dealing with crowds, and the disappointment of not being able to find what you want, make this the year you get a head-start on everyone else....

Spring is the time for renewal; think of it as similar to getting your body ready for beach season. If you want washboard abs come July, you better start working out a lot earlier than that. If you want a lush, green lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood, you've got to be its personal trainer and break a little sweat on these seven steps to a spectacular lawn this season....

Do you have a balloon mortgage that is coming due or an adjustable rate mortgage payment that has been steadily creeping up as interest rates change? Or perhaps you've had an unexpected financial hit such as a large hospital bill or a job loss that has made your current mortgage payments unreasonable....

As the drum beat of news continues about the credit crunch in the mortgage market, millions of homeowners are worried about their adjustable-rate mortgages that will adjust to higher interest rates, leaving many struggling to make their payment. As a result, there's a lot of confusion about what to do, or not do, before an ARM resets....

With so many financing choices available today, it's easier than ever to find a home loan that meets both your budget and future plans. But before you sign on the dotted line, it pays to be familiar with some of the most common types of loans. You should also get advice from your real estate agent and speak with several lenders about your options....

The effects of refinancing your mortgage can be dramatic, since it's a tool you can use to improve your financial situation. To take best advantage of it, look at where you are and assess your needs....

As the old saying goes "a man's home is his castle." The benefits of owning a home are many, including financial security. While a home mortgage is good for your financial stability, refinancing for a better mortgage than you originally qualified for can benefit your finances even more....

With gas prices in a state of constant flux, and energy costs going up and down too, the last thing you want to happen is for your mortgage to start fluctuating too. But if you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), it will soon happen....

So you're ready to buy a home. Finding that perfect home can be a great adventure. Seeking out the mortgage that's right for you can be difficult. There are a dozen or more options available for financing a home, and it's important to consider the pros and cons of each. Before looking into more complicated choices, consider the most common....

Moving is considered one of life's greatest stresses, especially given that it involves leaving behind the comfort of familiar surroundings, friends and routines. While the emotional challenges associated with a move are inevitable, planning out a careful move can alleviate some of the discomfort. If possible, try to make a moving plan at least six to eight weeks prior to your actual moving day....

Moving day is stressful - not only do you have to coordinate every aspect of the move, you might also be dealing with the emotions of those around you on a very busy day -- your spouse, your kids, your movers. Heck, even YOU might be getting emotional. So be careful that in the heat of the moment you don't make some of these more common mistakes....

You finally got that big job offer and have to move to another state. Relocating requires packing up all your worldly possessions and finding a new place to live. It's a difficult thing to do by yourself so where do you begin? There are so many moving companies, how do you know the right one for you? There is so much to do, what if you forget something? To save yourself time and money, try going to one place first and let them do all the footwork for you....

Moving should be an exciting time - you're off to a new apartment, your first home, maybe moving up to a larger home. But for many people, moving turns into a stressful, aggravating experience. It doesn't have to be that way. Some advance planning, a little research and the right attitude can combine to make your next move the best one ever....

Moving is such an exciting time as you look forward to acquainting yourself with your new home. But along with the excitement comes the long list of things to do. You need to get boxes, pack items, decide if you need help, clean the house, etc. The list goes on and on until you feel overwhelmed....

So it's time to move and you're excited, but it's a lot of work getting all your stuff from one location to the next. Hiring a moving company can help reduce the stress of moving and professionals help make sure your items get to wherever you are going safely....

Once you narrow down your search for moving companies to three or four, you will want to have them come to your home to give you an in-home visual estimate. Having movers look at your stuff in person is the only way you can be sure you'll get accurate moving quotes -- insist they come to your home. And when they're there, the questions you ask them -- and the answers you receive -- will help you pick the best one:...

To find the right neighborhood, focus on areas that meet your needs, budget and personal taste. You should also spend time talking with your real estate agent and researching different neighborhoods before making a final decision....

Communities, neighborhoods and modern conveniences are just a few of the reasons homebuyers choose new homes. But before deciding on your new dream house, make sure to do your homework and find the right builder for your needs and budget....

Online real estate listings have revolutionized the way buyers locate property, compare prices and find real estate professionals. But before you log on, make sure you have all the tools to get the most from your search....

Before you even begin looking for an apartment, make a list of what you absolutely need vs. extras you'd like to have. Important considerations include access to employment, shopping, schools, parking and recreation. Don't forget to keep your budget in mind, and make sure you have adequate funds to cover deposits, utility hookups and other service fees....

With a little preparation and the guidance of a professional real estate agent, you can help make the sale of your home go much more smoothly. Key factors include setting the proper price, effective marketing, and making your home sparkle inside and out....